Shiba Inu is a Japanese breed of dogs who are now getting accepted in more parts of the world. They have an appearance like a fox.
Strong
and muscular in physique, they are confident, energetic, and agile dogs. Shiba
is a stubborn dog who is not relatively easy to train.
A
very good potential family member who can be dedicated to the family. He needs
to be properly socialized and trained so that he gets along well with children.
Shiba Inu dogs are aggressive dogs and
cannot be trusted off-leash. They see chasing small animals like squirrels as
natural.
The variety of Shiba Inu colors includes red, orange, yellow, black and tan, and sesame.
A wonderful and loyal companion, he is best trained by a well-experienced person.
Table of Contents
Shiba Inu Pictures
Quick Facts
Average Weight: 23 pounds (male), 17 pounds (female)
The
Shiba Inu size is comparatively
small, and the Shiba is athletic; weighing at about 20 pounds.
Males
are 14.5 to 16.5 inches tall whereas females are 13.5 to 15.5 inches tall. Even
though a Shiba is not big, it needs an ample amount of space to roam.
The
word “Shiba” itself meant “small”, and the dog’s name is believed to have derived
from this meaning.
Affection Level (4/5):
Shiba Inu is a charming and affectionate family dog who is faithful to
its owner and devoted to its family members.
It is a good-natured dog, though
hostile with strangers. If you earn its respect, it will be loyal to you.
Sometimes, you might find Shibas hard to please.
Apartment Friendly (5/5):
They
are well suited to apartment living, but also need sufficient open space to
roam.
As
long as they are given enough regular exercise in the open, along with training
and socialization, they make for a good apartment dog.
Care
should be taken to have a fence to prevent the Shiba from venturing into
someone else’s territory.
Cold Weather Tolerability (4/5):
The
undercoat of a Shiba is soft and thick, and thus, it gives enough protection
from cold weather.
The
Shiba Inu has something called
“guard hairs”. They are thickly furred hair that provide it protection from
rain and snow.
Its
tail is made up of longer guard hair which enables the Shiba to deal with harsh
cold weather. It covers its nose and face with its tail to guard itself against
blowing snow.
Hot Weather Tolerability (3/5):
A
Shiba’s all-weather coat enables it to withstand the hot climate. However, he
should not be taken outdoors frequently during the hot season.
Arrange
air conditioning for your Shiba, and
provide him enough shady places to spend time. Make sure to keep your dog
hydrated throughout the summer.
Barking Tendencies (4/5):
A
Shiba is vocal in nature, and loud too. It is usually a quiet dog, who only
barks when it is either elated or mad.
Shibas
make the “Shiba scream”, the typical Shiba
Inu scream that is very loud. They produce it when they are either
emotionally aroused or are unhappy.
Mishandling
a Shibaagainst its liking can make
it “Shiba-scream”.
Cat-Friendly (2/5):
The
Shiba Inu breed is no different than
other breeds in the matter of cats. Shiba
Inu dogs too are fond of chasing cats. Hunting is their natural instinct
and they see cats are their prey.
They
should be controlled with a leash when cats are around.
Dog-Friendly (3/5):
A
Shiba is hostile with other dogs. If left unleashed, it can get involved in
fighting other dogs with aggression.
They
are possessive in nature. No treats or favorite toys must be kept nearby when
other dogs are around, as it may cause quarreling among them.
Exercise Needs (3/5):
Shibas
should ideally be given exercise daily if their lifespan is to be increased.
Taking them for a walk or a jog along with you is a good way to keep them
active.
Not
providing them enough physical activity can make them bored and they can turn
destructive.
Grooming Needs (1/5):
A
Shiba Inu keeps itself naturally
clean and is free of any odor. Thus, Shiba
Inu grooming is easy. Brushing its body once a week is still required just
like for other dogs.
To
remove excessive waste hair fallen because of shedding, brushing is a must.
Bathing the Shiba occasionally is fine. Check your Shiba especially during
summer for signs of excessive shedding.
Brushing
its teeth against bacteria and trimming its nails to prevent painful tears is
highly recommended.
Check
its ears for infection and carefully manage their paws.
Playfulness (3/5):
The Shiba Inu puppy temperament is curious and playful, yet the Shiba is hostile with strangers.
Being
an active breed of dogs, it likes to play and go for a jog.
They
are fond of children and they must be supervised and guided when children are
around. If children aren’t respectful to a Shiba, he will be hostile towards
them as well.
Trainability (2/5):
If
socialization isn’t given in the Shiba’s early life, it would be difficult for
him to become friendly with children and other people.
This
is necessary also because of his wariness towards strangers and his aggressive
nature. He has a tendency to chase other smaller animals, so he should always
be leashed when around them.
Shiba
is a willful and a tough-to-handle breed. Proper housetraining is required to
teach it toileting and other stuff.
Intelligence (3/5):
Shibas
are intelligent dogs. Because of their stubborn and willful nature, a lesson in
obedience needs to be given.
A
Shiba is a fast learner, yet he is challenging for novice trainers.
Mouthiness (4/5):
Shiba Inu’s mouth often in situations of excitement, frustration, and fright. Because of their hurtful teeth, mouthing can be dangerous to people.
Also
as Shibas are a hunting breed, they have the habit of biting.
Price Group (4/5):
Shiba Inus cost a significant amount of
money. The average Shiba Inu price can
be anywhere from $1200 to $2500.
About Shiba Inus
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In
the early days, Shiba Inus were
mainly used to find birds and small animals for hunting. They were also used to
hunt down wild boars.
The
Shiba is agile and lively. It makes for a good companion dog.
When
seen from afar, it may appear very similar to a fox. In fact, just like a fox,
it is agile in movement. One can see the ease with which it moves.
A
Shiba is intelligent and a highly independent thinker. Thus, it becomes stubborn
and is not easy to train.
If
trained properly from an early age, it can turn out to be a good family
companion. Being a hunter by instinct, it can be aggressive sometimes.
He needs a regular workout, preferably daily. He likes to roam around and so, open spaces must be available for them that are fenced.
Where Shiba Inus Come From?Where Shiba Inus Come From?
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Shiba Inus originated in the land of the rising
sun, Japan, in the 19th century. They used to live in the
mountainous regions of Japan.
As a result of World War II,
most of the Shibas were erased from existence. Later, after efforts by a few
people, the Shiba Inu breed was
restored before the mid-twentieth century.
Shibas were then imported to
the United States by some Americans, and since then they remain largely popular
in Japan as well as the United States.
Size
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The Shiba Inu size lies in the range of small to medium and is smaller than every other Japanese dog breed.
The height of the male Shiba
and the female Shiba do not significantly vary. The height of a male is between
14.5 to 16.5 inches, whereas the height of a female is between 13.5 to 15.5
inches.
A male Shiba weighs around
23 pounds and a female Shiba weighs around 18 pounds.
A Shiba Inu likes to remain active throughout its lifetime and needs
sufficient open space to burn off its energy.
Like any other dog, it needs
the experience of early socialization to get along well with children and
strangers which will help it in becoming adaptive in the future.
It likes to remain unleashed
and so, it is challenging to control it. Time and patience are necessary tools
for a trainer.
Housebreaking is not
difficult with the Shiba Inu breed.
Once it is given the appropriate instructions of toileting, it will obey
without much hassle.
Grooming
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The grooming required for
your dog Shiba Inu is minimal as
they come naturally neat and clean. Shiba
Inus like to remain free of moisture and hate being bathed.
Occasional bathing is
required though, at least once every three to four months.
When Shiba Inus shed heavily, brushing should be done in order to remove excessive waste hair that has fallen from their body.
Frequently brushing a
Shiba’s teeth is good, as it removes harmful bacteria and prevents diseases
from affecting it.
Shibas are often reluctant
when it comes to trimming the nails. Nails should be trimmed occasionally to
prevent themselves from hurting their eyes while scratching.
The coats of a Shiba Inu should ideally never be cut
as they protect its body in the hot and cold temperatures.
For more details on grooming
your Shiba, click here.
Common Diseases
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Shiba Inu dog must ideally be exercised
daily to keep it healthy and last long. Just like other dogs, it isn’t immune
to certain diseases.
Allergies:
Some types of allergies such
as food allergies, contact allergies, and inhalant allergies can be suffered by
Shibas and have to be duly remedied.
TARGETING THE BONES
Patellar Luxation:
When the knee joint gets out
of place, this condition occurs. It is painful for the dog.
Although this handicaps the
dog for his lifetime, he can still lead a normal life with it.
Hip Dysplasia:
Here, the hip joint does not
fit properly. Lameness often occurs because of hip dysplasia. In later stages
of the dog’s life, arthritis can develop.
TARGETING THE EYES
Glaucoma:
Glaucoma causes a build-up of pressure in the eyes.
Loss of vision and pain in the eyes are the signs indicating the presence of
Glaucoma.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy:
The retina of the eye starts degenerating in PRA.
Initially, PRA causes night-blindness and later may also affect vision during
the day.
Dogs may adapt well to this condition if they are
already aware of their surroundings.
TARGETING THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Epilepsy:
It is a neurological disorder that causes seizures in
the body.
Often, awkward behavior will be seen in the dog with
epilepsy, such as falling sideways with legs straight and head twisted, or
running around uncontrolled.
The causes of most seizures remain unknown.
TARGETING THE BODY
Chylothorax:
It is a relatively uncommon
disease occurring in dogs. In this condition, a fluid gathers inside the chest
region in the body, which obstructs breathing, reduces appetite, and induces
coughing.
It is critical to treat this
condition as it arrives.
Tail Chasing:
In this condition, the dog
gets preoccupied with its tail. He starts circling constantly. His hunger and
thirst start to vanish.
LIFESTYLE DISORDERS
Cancer:
Symptoms include difficulty
in breathing, urinating and defecating. Cancer can be treated by medications,
chemotherapy, and surgeries.
Hypothyroidism:
Low production of the
thyroid hormone results in Hypothyroidism. Symptoms include loss of hair from
the body, weight gain, and reduced immunity to cold.
Other symptoms include
obesity, dark patches, etc. Dogs need to be medicated and given appropriate
diet as a treatment.
Feeding
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Quality dry food of 0.5 to
1.5 cups should be provided to the Shiba twice a day. Feeding should be a
controlled activity, and food shouldn’t be kept out all the time.
Some Shiba dogs are choosy
about their food, and some are not. Treats should be given in limits, as too
many treats can cause obesity in them.
Always provide clean and freshwater to your Shiba.
It is better to prepare a
schedule of diet for your Shiba to provide the best dietary care.
Feed your Shiba according to
its activity levels. It needs a lot of protein and it likes protein-rich food.
Vaccination and Care
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The Shiba Inu breed is a healthy one and doesn’t require frequent
visits to a veterinarian except for routine vaccinations.
Common Vaccinations for the Shiba against conditions such as distemper, hepatitis, etc. must be administered. Read our Guide To Dog Vaccination to have a thorough idea of it.
A Shiba should always be
leashed because it tends to chase cats and other small animals when they are
nearby.
Housetraining is a must as
with other dogs and the Shiba is a quick learner at that.
Brushing its teeth
regularly, trimming its nails occasionally and checking its ears for infection
are some of the very important things to implement.
Monthly Expense Estimation
Monthly Expense Estimationligncenter is-resized">
The Shiba Inus are a relatively expensive breed of dogs. The average
price of a Shiba Inu is anywhere between $1200
to $2500.
The initial cost of a Shiba
can be from $350 to $550. For
providing him quality food, you have to spend $2 to $3 per pound of food.
A visit to the vet for
regular examination is highly recommended. Visits for eye diseases and other
diseases is recommended.
All in all, it can be safely
assumed that the average costs incurred yearly including food, care, and
grooming will be $1641 per year.
Behavior With
Behavior Withn:
In spite of the breed’s stubbornness and willfulness,
it manages to do well with children if he was properly trained for
socialization, and as long as the children are kind to it.
Due to its possessive nature about things, toys or
treats must be kept away from it whenever children are in the vicinity.
Children should be made aware of how to behave around a Shiba, and all interactions should be under the trainer’s supervision.
Dogs:
Shiba Inus being possessive, their
stuff must be kept away when other dogs are around. Failing this may lead to
unwanted fights that may lead to injuries to both sides.
Shibas
may always act aggressively with other dogs as aggressiveness to strangers is a
part of their personality. Training them against this may help to some extent.
Cats:
Shiba
sees cats as natural prey just like many other dogs. If he sees a cat when
unleashed, he will surely give it a chase.
Shibas
and a cat can go well with each other if they had been socialized
appropriately. Raising both together would make them more likely to accept each
other as companions.
If
a cat and a Shiba live in the same house, it could sometimes be wise to keep
them in separate rooms to avoid unhappiness.
A
hunting dog of the Japanese ancestry, the Shiba comes as a small-sized dog who
is intelligent, agile, and freethinking. He is a stubborn dog.
It
is small in size with height not differing much between males and females.
It
has a thick undercoat and overcoat that helps it in protecting itself from cold
and hot weather. A Shiba’s characteristic tail is thick and highly furry with
which it covers its face and nose from blowing snow.
You
can expect to see Shiba Inu shedding
the most during the summer season. Brushing its coats regularly can make it
less difficult to handle the problem.
The
average lifespan of a Shiba is 12 to 15 years, but you can elongate it by
giving the Shiba sufficient exercise, especially daily.
A
Shiba makes for an excellent companion and a watchdog.
Something Fun About Shiba Inu!
>Something Fun About Shiba Inu!nter">
Shiba is the smallest among
the six spitz breed dogs that are of Japanese origin.
Shibas were primarily used
for hunting large animals such as wild boar but now are used only to hunt small
animals.
The once nearly extinct dog
breed, the Shiba Inu is considered
the best companion dog in Japan.
Shibas learn to housebreak
very easily as they are born with natural housebreaking skills. When a Shiba is
nearly 5 weeks old, it will have mastered housebreaking.
The oldest Shiba ever to
live this planet died at the age of 26. He was just three years short of the
world record for the longest living dog in the world.
If
Shibas get upset because of bathing or cutting nails, they wail with a
shrieking sound. It is recommended to not scare them as they may scream with a
similar sound.
They do acts of self-grooming like licking their paws and refraining from stepping into puddles.
[…] They have a strong and muscular physique also Shiba Inu is very […]